The force is strong with these two: Local artists create Star Wars-themed furniture

May the furniture be with you! Picture Darth Vader or a Star Wars stormtrooper in your games/media room — and yes, I can definitely hear C-3PO saying that some of you already have figurines of those characters displayed in there. But in a neighbourhood not so far away, a local artist is using his skills to create something different: unique pieces of furniture designed to transform your entertainment space into one of the coolest spots this side of Tatooine.

Picture Darth Vader or a Star Wars stormtrooper in your games/media room — and yes, I can definitely hear C-3PO saying that some of you already have figurines of those characters displayed in there. But in a neighbourhood not so far away, a local artist is using his skills to create something different: unique pieces of furniture designed to transform your entertainment space into one of the coolest spots this side of Tatooine.

“It’s super cool and it’s still art,” said airbrush artist Kevin Wilson. “My preferred medium has always been metal, from steel to aluminum. My newest pieces of work consist of a collaboration of shapes and colours and custom airbrushing, and I have started to branch out into custom furniture with a local metal fabricator by the name of Gary Hall.”

So far, with no particular plans to conquer the galaxy, Wilson has started small. “When it came to Star Wars, I just put together some samples so people could see what can be done.”

Star Wars collectors went wild over the end table examples Wilson had on display at Edmonton’s Whyte Avenue Art Walk this past July. But despite all the buzz, the items were not for sale.

Wilson has created versions that include a stormtrooper, a silhouette of Darth Vader, two different Boba Fett styles, and an elliptical-shaped Yoda painting Wilson has done that he is planning to turn into a coffee table. There’s also an aluminum silhouette of an X-Wing fighter that is waiting to find out its fate, either as a table or just a striking piece of Star Wars art to hang on the wall.

The tables are made from medium-density fibreboard that is cut into the appropriate shape, then the mural is airbrushed on and a clear coat is applied. Hairpin legs are added to create the finished product.

Plans are also in the works for more elaborate entertainment room furniture. The pieces will be designed to hold gaming units and related equipment, with airbrushed table top lids tailored to the owner’s favourite game or character. As Darth Vader has been known to say, “the force is strong with this one.”

Winnipeg roots

Wilson, who originally hails from Winnipeg, moved to Edmonton two years ago and now calls St. Albert home.

“I chose Edmonton because of its art scene, the youth, and the festivals,” said Wilson. “It’s a very energetic city.”

With some high school art classes under his belt, Wilson’s creative side emerged. He taught himself how to airbrush, starting on canvas and then moving to motorcycles, helmets and, as he likes to say, pretty much anything else that can be painted.

“The realism, the detail of airbrushing caught my eye,” said Wilson. “I didn’t have the patience for brush painting. Airbrushing is fast. It’s a form of art that is an amazing tool, and I think it’s finally starting to become recognized.”

It was also in Winnipeg where his interest in furniture emerged. “I painted a colleague’s furniture line — just in colours — and I thought why couldn’t you put an image on it?”

Hall pass

In Edmonton, Wilson hooked up with Hall, of Hall Metal Art. Hall’s metal work and fabrication skills, combined with Wilson’s airbrush art, have gelled into a perfect match. Both have day jobs, with the furniture and other artistic creations being done on evenings or weekends. They seem to have an endless amount of energy and enthusiasm for this venture – tentatively entitled Dark Side Furniture – boldly going where they haven’t gone before.

Wilson and Hall’s ‘anything is possible’ mentality has seen the two create an attention-grabbing Sons of Anarchy double-layer crest cut from 16-gauge steel. Plans are in place to eventually light it up so the openings glow. Also ey- catching, and perhaps a little bit Rocky Horror Picture Show like, is a large set of female lips, which Hall cut from aluminum and Wilson airbrushed in a colourful red finish that is waiting to be converted into a coffee table. But it’s not all about popular culture.

Hall has fabricated sundials suitable for backyard gardens — the top is 26 inches in diameter and it stands 39 inches tall — and created eye-catching butterflies as well. Wilson, meanwhile, has worked with Concept Homes on the 2016 Edmonton STARS Lottery home, and is currently working with Concept on the 2017 STARS Lottery Edmonton grand prize, where his art is expected to be one of the focal points of the Edmonton lottery home.

“I’m always trying new things and wanting to make new pieces, and all my art is freehand and original,” said Wilson. “We don’t buy our parent’s art anymore.”

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